Education commissioner. The Florida Board of Education appears poised to hire interim commissioner Pam Stewart to permanently replace Tony Bennett instead of launching the third search in two years. Associated Press. Common Core, school grades and new tests aren’t on the agenda. Miami Herald.
Common Core. Lawmakers face growing resistance as they return to Tallahassee next week for the first round of committee hearings in advance of the 2014 session. StateImpact Florida. Common Core will be the bedrock Florida needs for a world-class education, writes former Florida Board of Education member Roberto Martinez in the Miami Herald. The Naples Daily News writes up state Rep. Debbie Mayfield’s bill to halt Common Core.
Charter schools. Lawmakers should drop the model charter school contract and give districts more say over charter applications. Orlando Sentinel. The Palm Beach County school district moves to immediately shutter a troubled charter where a student allegedly went missing for a few hours. Palm Beach Post. The Sarasota Military Academy charter school offers a firearm safety course. Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Private schools. A new private school for students with disabilities opens in Sarasota, with student funding coming from McKay vouchers. Bradenton Herald.
Education spending. The Florida Board of Education’s proposed budget calls for $15.1 billion in spending next year, $65.3 million less than the current spending plan. StateImpact Florida. The Pasco school board will consider a budget that is $1.079 billion, up 5.11 percent from last year. Gradebook. In Lake, impact fees aren’t keeping up with growth. Orlando Sentinel.
Teacher pay. Pinellas Superintendent Mike Grego touts $32 million worth of teacher pay raises this year in a new video. Gradebook. Hillsborough teachers and support staff could get 4 percent raises under a tentative deal with the district. Tampa Tribune. Leon teachers ratify a new contract that includes a $2,182 across-the-board pay raise. Tallahassee Democrat.
School enrollment. Volusia sees a slight rise in enrollment after years of decline; Flagler sees a dip. Daytona Beach News Journal.
School nutrition. Four Manatee schools are now offering free dinners to students. Bradenton Herald.
School names. The agenda for town hall meetings called by a Duval County School Board member includes the possibility of changing the name of a Jacksonville high school named for a Civil War general and KKK leader. Florida Times Union.
Early learning. The Pinellas school district and Juvenile Welfare Board are putting more emphasis on early learning. Tampa Tribune.
